Northern Virginia gets new “Corridor of Statewide Significance”

The Commonwealth Transportation Board’s recent approval to designate a new “Corridor of Statewide Significance” that covers Northern Virginia has drawn mixed reviews from transportation advocacy groups and local county governments.

“This move is either recognition that north-south mobility is needed in a region that now moves on an east-west axis, or itâ€™s an attempt to accelerate construction of a controversial parkway linking (Prince William and Loudoun) counties and ultimately connecting to new Potomac River bridges to create an outer Beltway around Washington,” according to a story in the Washington Post.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance has supported the designation in the hopes that more attention and funds will be given to the issue of alleviating congestion in the area and improving north-south access to Washington Dulles International Airport.

“Still environmental groups, Loudoun County officials and some residents don’t want the beltway and oppose the designation, but Prince William County leaders and area business leaders say a north-south road is needed,” according to a story in Leesburg Today.

The revival of the Outer Beltway proposal, which is on the state’s long-range transportation map, is sure to generate debate in the weeks and months ahead. To keep up to date on the issue, sign up for free email updates at http://nvta.org/.